Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-01

He vas going to spoil good thlng.
We couldn't stir hand or foot in this
church if somebody didn't put down
his domineering spirit Tn glad l
did it.
If thy brother hath aught against
thee repeated the echo.
He'd no business to lay it up
against me! He ought to thank me
for telling him the downright truth"
leave there thy gift before the
altar repeated memory again.
Stop a good thing because l don't
please an old curmudgeon like that!'
First be reconciled with thy broth
err sang the inexorable verse.
There's no such thing! Might as
we'll try to be reconcied with an old
bear. There's no use wasting words
with him.
.Then-then come and offer thy
gift"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. a fool I
am! haven't heard word Dr. Par
sons has been saying. Now who's
going to offer prayer? Dear!-f it
isn't Simonr'
There were few of the customary
greetings between the Clovers and
their ncighbors when the meeting was
over. Without waiting to see any
member of the business committee.
Mr. Glover hurried headlong out of
the church. His wife lost no time in
asking for an explanation.
''Oh. I'm all upset; I'm such fool!'
What is it?'
H, knew he would have to tell her
in the end. and beside it was really a
relief to him to do so. She asked some
close questions. Tell me just what
you said," she demanded.
"Well, he said we were just teach
ing the children to make play out of
worship That made mo mad. and
says l: Deacon Simon. if you'd been
there when they brought the children
for Christ to bless you'd have been one
to rebuke them as sure rs fate That's
just your spirit right through"
What did he say?"
"Not a word; though he kinder
flushed up. Guess he was mad. You
see. was. The way spoke was as
bad as the words"
you've got to ask his pardon"
Yes" groaned her husband.
you might as well do it now: I'll
go the rest of the way alone; you go
right back and find him."
1T won't be might of use. Ellen.
The minute he hears of the church be-
ing redecorated. he'll be mad again.
He can't abide any thing new"
But you'll have done your duty.
I'd go right off.
Mr.. Clover turned. slowly but
obediently. There was nothing Of the
strut or .'crow' in his manner now.
He looked quite cowed and humbled.
Deacon Simon lived quite out on the
edge of the town. There he had in
herited a farm and homestead. He
had toilod hard over his stony acres,
and they had yielded him but scanty
living. yet he was deeply attached to
the old place, as everybody knew.
Mr. Clover was surprised as he en-
tered the old-fashioned hall to find the
carpet taken up. and only big pack
ing box ready to be nailed up standing
there in place of furniture. The par
lor. too. was bare. except for some
chairs piled up. two-and-two. rs if for
removal. One of these was given him,
and he was asked to wait for few
moments. Presently. he heard the
deacon's well-knOwn voice at evenin g
devotions in the next room. And
these were tho words that
trembling old voice was speaking:
% Lord. we thank Thee that
Thou hast blessed to lis the shelter OF
this home SO long. Now. 60 with us. as
we 90 from hence. Thy will be done.
o. Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling
place in ail-in alp and here there
was break. and. in the silence. the
sound of II woman sObbing was audi
bic.
A new idea broke upon Mr.. Glover s
mind and greatly agitated him. Can
it be that Martin has foreclosed that
mortgage?" he thought. Eyes. it must
be; l heard the deacon was hard
pressed to raise his interest Nothing
else would have moved him out of his
old place. declare it's too bad! It's
awful!'
His errand was forgotten; he was in
a fever of desire to do something help.
full. When Deacon Simon came in. he
went toward him with extended hand
and such earnest sympathy in his face
rs no troubled heart could have re.
fused. Brother Simon." he said. 81
hadn't heard when l came. but it's
| Just come to me that you're going t.
give up your home"
Eyes; I'm obliged to. It's the Lord S
will"
oh. no." said Mr.. Clover; Il can't
believe it yet. Wait wait; ! want to
talk to you"
Deacon Simon drew another chair
from the corner. and seated himself
Il came" said his visitor. ito ask
| vour forgiveness for the rude wav